Projecting apparatus.



F. A. LOFTUS.

PROJECTING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED on. 5, 1915.

Patented May 1, 1917.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1.

I N @NRN Edna's All)? lus,

wil ness? F. A. LOFTUS.

PROJECTING APPARATU$..

APPLICATION FILED OCT. s, 1915.

Patented May. 1, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- 1%;" wow W UNTTED %TATE% FRANCIS A LOFTUS, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

PROJECTING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 1, 1917.

Application filed October 5, 1915. Serial No. 54,135.

To all whom it may concern."

Be it known that I, FRANCIS A. LOFTUS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and. State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Projecting Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in projecting apparatus, and more particularly to an improved mechanically operated.

slide-for motion picture machines, magic lanterns or stereopticons of any type which will project the light, the object of the in vention being to provide a device of the character stated which is intended to reproduce on a screen a game of baseball.

A further object is to provide a mechanically operated device of the character stated which reproduces practically every play that is made upon a baseball field, and which is especially designed for reproducing games as they are actually played, so

rangements of parts as will be more fully hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation illustrating the back of my improved ap aratus.

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the fi'ont' of the apparatus showing the operating rods broken ofi'.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal section through one of the slides.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view in section on the line 44 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a view inside elevation illustrating my improved device in connection with an ordinary projecting device, the latterdbeing shown more or less diagrammatic, an

Fig. 6 illustrates a pair of transparent signs which are used in connection with and form a part of my improved apparatus.

My improved apparatus comprises a plate 1 fixed to a frame 2, both plate and frame being rectangular in form' as shown, and the ends of the frame reinforced by integral enlargements 3 to form extended bearings for angular rods 4 which extend through the ends of the frame as shown.

It is to be understood that the apparatus is to be inserted in the guide of a projecting device, and constitutes a slide which may be removed and replaced.

In Fig. 5, T hav illustrated more or less diagrammatically a projecting device 5 having a guide 6 in which my improved slide is secured by means of a set screw 7, but it is to b understood that my apparatus is intended for use in connection with any projecting device, and is especially adapted for use in connection with the ordinary type of motion picture machine, as it can be readily removed and motion pictures displayed whenever desired.

The plate 1 is made with four, preferably angular openings 8, 9, 10, and 11, respectively, which represent the home plate, first base, second .base, and third base respectively on a baseball field.

Between these openings 8, 9, 10, and 11 relatively narrow slots 12 are provided, and the light projecting through these slots 12 and the openings 8, 9, l0, and-11 project on the screen the representation of a baseball diamond.

Plate 1 is also provided with nine circular openings 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21, which are so positioned on the plate as to correspond with the ordinary positions of baseball players on the field, and represent respectively the catcher, pitcher, first baseman, second baseman, third baseman, short stop, right fielder, center fielder, and left fielder. The plate 1 is also provided'with five transparent sections 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26 respectively, which contain the words Out, Strike, Foul, Ball, and Error respectively.

Transparent section 24 containing the word Foul is preferably red, while the other transparent sections are white.

Under the transparent sections 22 and 23, containing the words Out and Strike respectively, three openings 27 are located, and four similar openings 27 are located under the transparent section 25 containing the word Ball.

To distinguish these several openu gs 27, they shall be hereinafter referred to as out openings.

Back of the out openings 27, the sliding shutter 28 is provided which is connected to,

one of the rods 4.

Back of the strike openings 27-, a sliding shutter 29 is located, and is connected to another of the rods 4. Back of the ball openings 27, a sliding shutter 30 is located, and is connected to another of the rods 4. A sliding shutter 31 is positioned back of the error section 26, and a pivoted shutter 32 is located back of the foul section 24.

The shutters 31 and 32 are also operated by rods 4.

In connection with each opening 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,18, 19,20, and'ZI', which openings I shall hereinafter refer to as player openings, I provide a slide and to distinguish them from each other, I have given them separate reference numerals and shall hereinafter refer to them as player slides (listinguishing them by the particular player opening they control.

The player slides 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, and 41 controlling the player openings 13,14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 2 0, and 21, respectively, are each' made precisely alike, one of which is shown in section in Fig. 4.

Each of the above player slides has a central opening 42 with transparent sections 43 and 44 at opposite sides thereof, and at the respective ends of the slide. The transparent sections 43 are'preferably red, while the transparent sections 44 are preferably green, although of course the invention is not limited to the particular colors used.

All of the rods 4, preferably move through guide studs 45 fixed to plate 1, and all of said rods 4 which are connected to the player slides are provided with coiled springs 46 at opposite sides of sa d guide studs which normally hold the slides in position to maintain the central openings 42 inre 'ster with the player openings, so that a whlte light is pro ected on the screen.

In addition to the slides above referred to, I provide four slides 47, 48, .49, and 50 respectively which distinguish them from the other sl1des I shall hereinafter refer to as the base slides. These slides are positioned over the base openings 8, 9, 10, and 11 respectively.

The base slides 48,49, and 50 normally cover the openings 9,, 10, and 11 so as to exclude the light but eachof these slides is provided with a'transparent section 51,

preferably red, which is adapted to be po-- sitioned over the base opening when the slide is moved.

The rods 4, controlling the slides 48, 49, and 50-have no springs 46 as they are to be moved from one position to the other, and remaining in different positions for an indefinite length of time as will be hereinafter ling the home base slide '47 is preferably provided with springs 46 which maintain the opening 52 in register with the openmg 8.

The plate 1 is provided with an opening 54' with a guide 55 back of the opening to receive a transparent plate 56. It is to be understood that two plates will be provided for each player in the game, one containing the name of the player and indicating the team on which he plays, and the other showing a picture of the player which can be displayed from time to time as desired.

These plates 56are slid into the frame through a slot 57 in that portion of the frame which constitutes the top when the frame is in its normal position in the proecting device, because it is to be understood that the device is in an inverted position in the dlsplay device so as to properly project the light on the'screen.

On the outer ends of all of the rods 4, buttons 58 are located, and these buttons contain printed matter which identify the slide to which they are connected, and which they are designed to operate.

The operation of my improved apparatus is as follows:

Assuming 'the slide to be in position in the projecting device, Fig. 1 indicates the normal position of all of the slides at the beginning of the play of any particular inning, so that the light will be thrown on the screen through the slots 12 to indicate the diamond, and through the player openings 13, 1.4, 15, 16,17, 18, 19, 20, and 21, to. indicate the positions of the players. Light will also penetrate through the openings 52 and 8 to indicate that a player of the opposing team is at the bat, a articular player being indicated by the p ate 56 in the opening 54. p

In carrying out the general scheme of play, it is to be understood that the green represents the ball, and red represents outs 'on the several slides, so that the spectators watching the play follow the play of the ball by the showing of green lights, and register outs by the showing of red lights.

When the pitcher has the ball, slide 34 will be moved to position the green transparent section 44 over the opening 14, and' when he throws the ball to the catcher, the. pitcher slide will be released, so that it will come to normal position and the catcher slide 33 will be operated to show the green transparent section.

If a strike is recorded, the shutter 29 will slide 47 will be moved to show the green transparent section, and the player who recovers the ball will be indicated by the movement of the particular player slide. For example, if the ball is hit to short stop, and the runner is thrown out at first base, a short stop slide 38 will be moved to show a green transparent section, then the first baseman slide 35 will be moved to show a green transparent section.

If the player is out, the first base slide 48 will be moved to show the red transparent section. If the player is safe, the slide 48 will be moved so as to expose the opening 9 and throw a white light on the screen, which white light will remain as long as the runner is on first base. The operator then removes the plate 56 and if he cares to, he can insert a picture of the player that has just batted. or he can insert the plate of the next player in the line up.

By the manipulation of the several player slides, the exact travel or play of the ball can be indicated to the spectators. If a player catches the ball to register an out, the player slide would show red, and if the players are thrown out at any of the bases, the base slide will show red.

Fouls are indicated by the movement of the shutter 32, errors by the movement of the shutter 31, and an account of strikes, balls, and outs are kept by the shutters 29, 20, and 28 respectively.

The operation of the device is therefore entirely mechanical, and any operator of average intelligence can manipulate the several slides to indicate on the screen the exact plays as they are made on a baseball field, and by the aid of my improvements any ordinary picture machine or projecting device can be utilized to record games.

Various slight changes might be made in the general form and arrangement of parts described without departing from my invention, and hence I do not limit myself to the precise details set forth, but consider myself at libertyto make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A projecting device of the character stated, comprising a plate having openings therein through which light is adapted to be directed onto a screen representlng bases and players, and movable members controlling the openings to indicate the progress and players, movable members controlling the openings, said members having colored transparent sections to indicate the progress of the game, substantially as described.

- 3. A projecting device of the character stated, comprising a plate having openings therein through which light is adapted to be directed onto a screen representing bases and players, movable members controlling the openings to indicate the progress of the game, said members having colored transparent sections, and means for moving the members to expose the openings or position colored transparent sections over the same, substantially as described.

4. A projecting device of the character described, comprising a plate having openings therein representing bases and players, slides controlling the player openings to indicate the progress of the game,said openings having transparent sections therein of different colors each being adapted to be moved into position in front of the open ing, substantially as described.

5. A projecting device of the character described, comprising a plate having openings therein representing bases and players, slides controlling the player openings to indicate the progress of the game, said openings having transparent sections therein of different colors each being adapted to be moved into position in front of the opening, said player slides also having openings therein to register with the. player openings, substantially as described.

6. A projecting device of the character described, comprising a plate having openings therein representing bases and players, slides controlling the player openings to indicate the progress of the game, said openings having transparent sections therein of difi'erent colors each being/adapted to be moved into position in front of the opening, and springs normally holding the last-mentioned slides in position to register the open: ings therein with the openings in the plate, substantially as 7 described.

7. A projecting device of the character described, comprising a plate having openings therein representing bases and players, slides controlling the player openings to indicate the progress of the game, said openings having transparent sections therein of difi'erent colors each being adapted to be moved into position in front of the open-- ing, and other slides controlling the base &

openings, all of said base slides except the home base slide having sections adapted to normally cover the base openings, substantially as described.

8. A projecting device of the character described, comprising a plate having openings therein representing bases and players, slides controlling the player openings to indicatethe progress of the game, said openings having transparent sections therein of different colors each being adapted to be moved into position in front of the opening, said player slides also having openings therein to register with the player openings, and other slides controlling the base openings, all of said base slides except the home base slide having sections adapted to normally cover the base openings, substantially as described. i

9. A- projecting device of the character described, comprising a plate having openings therein representing bases and players, slides controlling the player openings to indicate the progress of the game, said openings having transparent sections therein of different colors each being adapted to be moved into position in front of the opening, springs normally holding the'last-mentioned slides in position to register the openings therein with the openings in the plate,

' and other slides controlling the base openings, all of said base slides except the home base slide having sections adapted, to normally cover the base openings, substantially as described.

10. A projecting apparatus of the character described, comprising a plate having slots therein representing a baseball diamond with openings at the corners of the diamond representing bases, said plate having other openings [representing players, slides controlling all of said openings to indicate the progress of the game, and rods manually operated to move the slides, substantially as described.

11. A projecting apparatus of the character described, comprising a plate having slots therein representing a baseball dia-- mond with openings at the corners of the diamond representing bases, said plate having other openings representing players,

slides controlling all of said openings to indicate the progress of the game, rods manually operated to move the slides, each of said rods having buttons at their ends containing printed matter indicating the particular slide they control, substantially as described.

12. A projecting apparatus of the character described, comprising a plate having slots therein representing a baseball diamond with openings at the corners of the diamond representing bases, said plate having other openings representing players, slides controlling all of said openings to indicate the progress of the game, rods manually operated to move the slides,.said plate having an opening therein, and a transparent plate containing matter indicating a player at bat, and removably positioned back of said opening, substantially as described.

13. A projecting apparatus of the character described, comprising a plate having slots therein representing a baseball diamond with openings at the-corners of the diamond representing bases, said plate having other openings representing players, 7

slides controlling all of said openings to indicate the progress of the game, and rods manually operated to move the slides, transparent sections in said plate indicating strikes, balls, outs, fouls, and errors, and shutters controlling said transparent sections, substantially as described.

14. The combination with a projecting device; of a slide removably connected to the projecting device and containing a transparent representation of a baseball diamond, and manually operated devices containing transparent sections of different colors movable on the slide to' indicate plays made on I a baseball field, said devices being operative to control the transparent representation of the slide, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed myname to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANCIS A. LOFTUS. Witnesses:

CHAs. E. Po rrs, MARIE JAoKsoN. 

